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“Prom,” Dad said cheerfully. “Martha and Bob came up with the idea—”
Bob snorted. “Don’t you dare try to pin this on us. It was all you. Wouldn’t want to deprive you of the credit.”
“We’re part of the chaperone team,” Dad said. “The school put out a call a few weeks back, asking for parents to volunteer.” He shrugged. “I signed up. And then Bob and Martha did too.” He smiled. “And I couldn’t let Gibby’s and Jazz’s parents feel left out, so they decided to volunteer as well.”
Nick said, “What.”
“You won’t see us,” Dad said. He leaned forward, his face inches from Nick’s own, his voice a whisper. “But we will be there, watching your every move.” He glanced pointedly at Nick’s coat pocket, where he’d put the condoms.
Nick shoved Dad away as he burst into laughter. “I can’t believe you—this is such a violation of—do you enjoy seeing me suffer? Is that what this is?”
“Yes,” Dad said. “That’s exactly it.” He sobered slightly. “But also, to make sure nothing happens. Not that I think itwill,” he added as Nick started to sputter angrily. “A precaution, and nothing more, especially with this whole bounty business. I promise I won’t try to talk to you. No one will even know we’re related. Especially with you in that suit.”
“Whatever,” Nick said. “I’m done with you.” He pushed his way past Bob into the living room, where Gibby’s and Jazz’s parents were standing in front of the girls. He was about to demand that they find something else to do for the night when Trey and Aysha Gibson moved to the left, and Miles and Joanna Kensington moved right.
Nick’s lament died a quick death in his throat at the sight of his girls. He’d already seen their fancy outfits at the shop, butsomehow, they looked even better now: Jazz, in her lacy, flowing dress, and Gibby in her old-fashioned tuxedo, her bow tie matching the colors Jazz wore. She’d even found a red wallet chain, which dangled on her right hip. Fixed to her chest was a rose boutonniere, held in place by a safety pin. Jazz had a corsage made up of a rose on a bed of baby’s breath.
“Holy shit,” Nick breathed. “You two look freakingrad.”
Gibby tipped her top hat at him as Jazz curtsied wonderfully. “Thank you,” Jazz said. “You clean up good too, Nicky.” She leaned forward, kissing his cheek before wiping away the smudge left from her lipstick.
“Seriously,” Nick said. “Everyone is going to be super jealous of us. We’re going to be the best-dressed people there. That’s a thing that happens at prom, right? Best-dressed group of four award or something? Because we’ve already locked that shit down.”
Gibby reached out and straightened Nick’s bow tie. “I’d like tonotbe the center of attention, at least for one night, if that’s all right with you.”
“Yeah,” Nick said, admiring Gibby’s tux. “That sounds good to me. What would make it even better is if ourparents weren’t going to be there.”
“What,” Jazz said.
“What,” Gibby said.
“Surprise!” Miles said. “We all get to go to your prom too.” He wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist. “Chaperones for the win!”
“Daddy,” Jazz said with a pout. “You should’ve told me. What if I want to do something that you don’t approve of?”
“Then you probably shouldn’t do it,” Miles said. “Seems simple enough.”
“You probably won’t even see us,” Aysha said, snapping photo after photo. “We’ll skulk in the shadows with all the other chaperones.”
“And we’re going to dance too,” Trey said. “I’ve been practicing the worm, and I think I’ve almost got it. Miles and Aaron are probably going to do it with me.”
“Dad,no,” Gibby said.
“Dad,yes,” Trey and Miles and Dad all said at the same time.
Martha appeared in the entryway to the living room, smiling widely. She looked around the room, gaze settling on Nick. She crooked a finger in his direction, beckoning him toward her. He went, shooting a glare at his father, who ignored him as if he couldn’t feel the heat of Nick’s eyes.
“Look at you,” Martha said when Nick stopped in front of her. “Only you could pull off a suit like that. Quite handsome.”
“Thank you. I’m getting that a lot. It’s hard being this pretty.” He sighed as he looked her up and down. She wore a dress the color of storm clouds. “You look nice, too, but I guess that means that you’re doing the whole chaperone thing. Neat.”
“I’ll ignore that last part and say thank you for the compliment.” She steered him toward the stairs. “He’s a little nervous.”
Nick blinked. “Seth? Why?”
Martha chuckled. “He’s got it in his head that tonight has to be perfect to make up for the last few weeks. I told him he shouldn’t worry too much, but you know how he is.”
Nick did, and while he hadn’t exactly been nervous before, he was now. He didn’t know why. “As long as we’re together, nothing else matters.”
